Microsoft Is Using Minecraft To Improve Artificial Intelligence

Computer scientists at Microsoft Research lab in New York City are training an artificial intelligence agent to learn how to do things like climb to the highest point in the virtual world. They are using Minecraft game as the test world. Minecraft is ideal for artificial intelligence research for the same reason it is addictively appealing to the millions of fans who enter its virtual world every day. Unlike other computer games, Minecraft offers its users endless possibilities, ranging from simple tasks like walking around looking for treasure to complex ones like building a structure with a group of teammates. “Minecraft is the perfect platform for this kind of research because it’s this very open world,” Hofmann said. “You can do survival mode, you can do ‘build battles’ with your friends,…